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a NATION MOURNs

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WAS IT STAGED?

Man accused of orchestrating the Turkey coup says the president STAGED the whole thing

grenades blitz hit our hotel

Holiday Brits tell of horror as grenades shook their hotel during failed coup in Turkey

It comes as Turkish authorities today paraded the alleged masterminds of the coup before the media.

Erdogan has arrested 7,500 people and purged 8,000 police officers within the past three days - prompting speculation his government may already have had a list of dissidents' names prior to the coup.

Erdogan's increasingly vengeful rhetoric has lead to fears he may be using the crackdown to purge opposition.

Anadolu Agency

Dishevelled plotters are paraded before a camera by Turkish authorities

Anadolu Agency

Among them was Akin Ozturk, a full general and member of the High Military Council. He is alleged to have had a leading role in the coup

Today he spoke of "cleansing" his country of the "virus" which sparked the coup attempt, while he has also suggested reinstating the death penalty.

This, however, would end its chances of joining the EU, a German government spokesperson has warned.

Video emerged today showing some of the 7,500 people - 6,000 of which are soldiers - who have been arrested by authorities.

Looking dishevelled, bruised and grazed, the captives were forced to state their names, position and rank within the military.

One of those captured was Akin Ozturk, a full general and member of the High Military Council. He wears a bandage on his ear, suggesting he was injured during the coup or his arrest.

Ozturk, a former air force commander, is accused of being the masterermind behind the coup.

US and Germany warn Turkey of straining relations with NATO and EU

The EU and US have both warned Turkey of straining its NATO requirements by seeking excessive retribution towards coup plotters.
Germany has today warned Turkey that if it ever wishes to join the EU it must not reinstate the death penalty, which President Erdogan had suggested could be an option for the coup masterminds.
He said: "We cannot delay this anymore because in this country, those who launch a coup will have to pay the price for it," he said.
However, this would rule the country out of ever joining the EU, its foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said today.
She said: "Let me be very clear... no country can become an EU state if it introduces the death penalty."
This view was echoed by a spokesperson for the Germany Government, while John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, warned Turkey must "uphold the highest standards for the country's democratic institutions and the rule of law."
While he recognized the need to apprehend the coup plotters, Kerry said: "We caution against a reach that goes beyond that."
He noted the founding principles of NATO included a respect for democracy.

Meanwhile, the deputy mayor of Istanbul's Sisli district was today shot in the head by an unknown assailant, local media reported.

He is in a critical condition in hospital, though it is not clear if it was linked to Friday's coup.

Today the country's parliament in Ankara was also evacuated due to an "imminent security threat".

Getty Images

Citizens shout at rebel soldiers after they surrendered on the Bosphorus bridge

Getty Images

The group had surrendered with their hands in the air minutes earlier

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A boy cries over his father's coffin during the man's funeral today. He was killed amid the violence of Friday night's coup

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